Manchester City v Watford: preview and possible lineups

TEAM NEWS

Manchester CIty:

City are without only reserve goalkeeper Claudio Bravo, with Fernandinho and Benjamin Mendy both likely to recover from knee injuries. Mendy is unlikely to feature with Oleksandr Zinchenko likely to start at left-back. Fernandinho has not featured for City since injuring his knee on April 24, especially with Ilkay Gundogan performing well in the abscence of the Brazilian. Bernardo Silva will feature in some position, whether that's in the centre of midfield or the frontline. Kevin De Bruyne is likely to feature in some degree. In defence, John Stones, Vincent Kompany, Aymeric Laporte and Nicolas Otamendi are battling for a starting spot, with Kompany potentially playing his final game for the club. 

Watford:

For Watford, they have Jose Holebas available for selection with his red card rescinded. This means that both Domingos Quina and Sebastian Prodl are the two players who will be unavailable for Watford. Etienne Capoue, Watford's Player of the Season, has returned from a groin injury against West Ham United, he will no doubt start alongside Abdoulaye Doucoure. The big decision for Gracia is whether to use Gerard Deulofeu as a starting player or a super sub, after his sublime comeback goals got Watford into the final.

Managers' Thoughts:

Pep Guardiola on Benjamin Mendy, Juventus and Watford's quality:

"Ben Mendy is not selected because he’s not fit. He will be ready next season. Fernandinho trained yesterday"

"How many times do I have to say? I’m not going to move to Turin, to Italy. I am satisfied working with this club, with the people here. That is how I feel today, but football changes a lot. Next season may not be as good, but I am going to be manager of Man City."

"(Watford have) quality in front with Pereyera, Denney and Deulofeu. With Doucouré and Capoue, especially Doucouré, the way that turn up late into the 18-yard box. They handle the defensive side well, with set pieces they have Holebas who is an incredible taker."

Javi Gracia on hia mother being present at the final and Deulofeu:

"My mum is coming for the final, I haven't see her for a long time, maybe one year. It's special. I am just so proud for the club to be in this final, so proud to be at this club and so proud for the players. I feel very proud of my team. This season has been amazing. I said in other comments that the success of this season doesn't depend on the final result. My opinion is that my players deserve recognition as they have done many things well. It is only one step as we want to be more ambitious. It is not enough. We want to improve."

“But the most important thing is the quality of the player. Deulofeu, you know, has a high quality. In this moment he is playing in one position more regularly, because in other seasons he has played as a second forward, as a winger, as a striker as well."

FORM GUIDE:

POSSIBLE TEAMS:

Manchester City: Ederson; Walker, Kompany, Laporte, Zinchenko; D.Silva, Gundogan, De Bruyne; Bernardo, Aguero, Sterling.

Watford: Gomes; Femenia, Kabasele, Cathcart, Holebas; Pereyra, Doucoure, Capoue, Hughes; Deulofeu, Deeney.